Soccer Notebook: Ching relishes role as promoter

Ching bleeds orangeDynamo star relishes role as sport's promoter

Published 5:30 am, Saturday, July 24, 2010

Brian Ching isn't just the face of the Dynamo. He's the face of Houston soccer, representing the city admirably since the franchise played its inaugural season in 2006.

Ching would be the first to admit many folks helped the Dynamo win the MLS Cup in each of its first two seasons in Houston, yet there's no denying he was the first person to captivate the fans here.

And just as Roger Clemens opened his arms to the baseball world for the 2004 Midsummer Classic at Minute Maid Park, Ching will be everywhere promoting the 2010 AT&T Major League Soccer All-Star Game at Reliant Stadium on Wednesday night against England's Manchester United.

Ching has lent his name to several of the festivities surrounding the All-Star Game, which is more than just an exhibition for the Dynamo's all-time leading scorer.

Nobody knows Ching better than his first soccer coach, and the woman affectionately known as Stevie Ching believes the match against Manchester United has special significance for the boy she began coaching when he was 7.

"He's very private about those kinds of things," said Ching's mother Stephanie. "My personal opinion is that it's his chance to show that he belonged on the World Cup team. Anyway, to show the player that he is."

Photo: Bob Levey, For The Chronicle

Image 1of/1

Caption

Close

Image 1 of 1

Brian Ching will be around town promoting the All-Star Game, the Dynamo and his charitable causes soon after the team returns home after its game at Columbus on Saturday.

Brian Ching will be around town promoting the All-Star Game, the Dynamo and his charitable causes soon after the team returns home after its game at Columbus on Saturday.

Photo: Bob Levey, For The Chronicle

Soccer Notebook: Ching relishes role as promoter

1 / 1

Back to Gallery

Most soccer experts in America were shocked when U.S. coach Bob Bradley omitted Ching from his World Cup roster. Many fans will wonder how much Ching could have helped a U.S. team that didn't get a single goal from its forwards at the World Cup in South Africa.

Whatever the case, Ching has moved on from the World Cup snub.

In the upcoming days, he'll be focused on welcoming the MLS All-Stars and Manchester United while sharing as much of the experience with Houston soccer fans as he can.

"To me, it's exciting," Ching said. "It's fun just to see how this city has embraced the Dynamo and probably has always embraced soccer. I think the diversity of this city kind of leads to that love and enthusiasm for soccer. To me it's fun to be a part of."

The six-time MLS All-Star will be a part of much of it. Whether blogging about his All-Star experiences on chron.com or making public appearances, Ching will be around town promoting the All-Star Game, the Dynamo and his charitable causes soon after the team returns home Sunday after tonight's game at Columbus .

After training with the rest of the MLS All-Stars on Monday morning at Robertson Stadium, he'll make multiple sports talk radio appearances for local stations. Then from 6:30 to 8 p.m. he'll sign autographs at Academy Sports & Outdoors at 2404 Southwest Freeway.

As if that's not enough, he'll be at the MLS All-Star kickoff party at club Venue that evening to watch teammate Bobby Boswell do a stand-up comedy routine and party with the crowd.

He'll be equally busy Tuesday, going through training in the morning before having an autograph session from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Galleria location Best Buy at 5133 Richmond Ave before participating in the Futbol Stars Charity Bowling Event at Lucky Strike.

Barring injury, he likely will be a starter against Manchester United before playing host to the postgame All-Star Party at the House of Blues to raise funds for the House That Ching Built, which will build a home in the area with Habitat for Humanity.

"Do I look at myself as the face or ambassador? Not really," he said. "But I think a lot of people do.

"To me I just try to enjoy it and try to help out where I can. I love promoting the game. It's the game I love. Any time you can help the sport grow, I relish those moments."

In good company

The MLS All-Stars will hold a soccer clinic Monday at Discovery Green for a select group of 100 kids from a local Boys and Girls Club.